Meet the Newest Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The 2026 Hall of Fame Class features Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 13, 2019. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Much of the discourse regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the last week-plus has been about who is not being inducted as part of this year’s ceremony. However, the focus should be on who is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which has five individuals who made an indelible impact on the National Football League.

The class was announced on Thursday at the NFL Honors Show and includes two first-ballot members, two players going in on their second year of eligibility, and one senior member who is going in 27 years after he first became eligible for Canton, Ohio. Here is an overview of the newest Pro Football Hall of Famers.

QB Drew Brees (2001–20)

One of eight players in NFL history to make at least 13 Pro Bowl rosters, Brees retired after the 2020 season as the league’s passing king. His 80,358 passing yards ranked first in NFL history at the time, while his 571 passing touchdowns ranked second. Both marks currently rank second, all-time, trailing only Tom Brady. Brees got the call from the hall in his first year on the ballot after two decades of stellar production, with 15 of those seasons coming with the New Orleans Saints.